Amid the jingling bells and twinkling lights of the holiday season, Tess Bell, a devoted mother of two hailing from the Gold Coast, is spearheading a revolution. In a world consumed by material indulgence, Tess has conceived a holiday tradition with a profound difference: the ‘Sharing Kindness Advent Calendar.’ This innovative creation is not just a countdown to Christmas; it’s an invitation to rediscover the true essence of the season – kindness and connection.
Rather than the typical daily morsels of chocolate or candies, Tess’s calendar offers 25 days of ‘random acts of kindness,’ uniting families in a shared mission to make the world a kinder place. Each day presents an opportunity for households to engage in simple yet profound gestures of goodwill, igniting conversations about the deeper significance of life and the holiday season. At a time when materialism frequently overshadows the true spirit of Christmas, Tess’s calendar emerges as a beacon of authenticity, reminding us of the core values that truly matter.
At the heart of Tess’s creation lies her mission to ‘share kindness.’ This heartfelt journey seeks to uplift spirits, share stories, and cultivate thoughtfulness in every heart. Her aim is not just to focus on the ‘having’ aspect of the festive season but to impart the wisdom of ‘being.’ The concept of ‘Sharing Kindness’ became an everyday reality as she and her family integrated acts of kindness into their daily lives, embarking on challenges and tasks to brighten the days of those around them.
As the holiday season approached, Tess found herself pondering their family traditions and how they could be reimagined to incorporate the lessons of kindness they had embraced throughout the year. Tess explains, “I adore the tradition of an advent calendar, but I felt there should be more to it than chocolate and gifts. I saw an opportunity to create something with genuine meaning that the whole family could embrace.”
For Christmas in 2019, Tess crafted a ‘Kindness Calendar’ for her family, and in an act of generosity, she offered it as a free digital download to her friends. The response was overwhelming, with 5,000 people downloading it within just five days. This powerful resonance affirmed that families were yearning for a more meaningful approach to Christmas, in a world where the season’s focus often overshadows deeper values with material gifts and candy.
Tess firmly believes that, now more than ever, it’s essential to emphasize kindness and connection, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This inspiration led her to create a genuine, entertaining, and interactive calendar that would not only encourage people to share kindness during the Christmas season but to carry this spirit of goodwill throughout the year.
The ‘Sharing Kindness Advent Calendar’ features one ‘kindness activity’ for each day leading up to December 25. It also includes a ‘scratchie tracker’ adorned with positive affirmations and reusable stickers to craft a cheerful Christmas scene, infusing the festive spirit with a touch of generosity.
Now in its third year, the 2022 New York Collection showcases a new world location each year, designed to broaden children’s horizons and promote inclusivity. Tess’s ultimate aspiration is for families to wholeheartedly embrace the concept, making it not only a part of their Christmas tradition but a way of life.
Tess’s voice is one of unwavering conviction as she underlines, “The best gift you can give someone does not come wrapped in paper. Gifts of time, a simple smile, or an act of kindness are far more valuable, bearing lasting positive effects. I have personally witnessed how teaching children to be kind, not just to others but to themselves, builds resilience and confidence. This calendar is the perfect springboard for families to introduce this way of life in an enjoyable and exciting manner. I aspire for this calendar to inspire connection and reflection while conveying the potent message that our intentions, choices, and words possess the power to make the world a better place.”
Tess Bell’s ‘Sharing Kindness Advent Calendar’ is not merely a holiday tradition; it’s a heartwarming movement that encourages us to embrace connection and reflection, promoting the warmth of kindness and inclusivity that lingers throughout the year. It’s a vivid reminder that the most precious gift we can offer is a sprinkling of kindness.
